The engineers have crunched the numbers to see which flood protection plan will give the most benefit, while minimizing costs to taxpayers. They've come up with three main options to choose from: a diversion in either Minnesota, or North Dakota, or a series of permanent levees along the Red River in Fargo and Moorhead. Local leaders are now on the clock. The Corps of Engineers study shows a diversion through Minnesota, east of Moorhead and Dilworth, would be most cost-effective. And that seems to be the way local leaders are leaning, too. It's more simple than a diversion would be in North Dakota side, where there are more rivers and two interstates to cross. But simplicity is just one reason.
Walaker: ”I was pleased to hear that there was a diversion.”
For Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker, it's clear which plan is best for permanent flood protection.
Walaker: “The diversion is what many of us thought was the optimum project there's no question about that.”
Walaker says not only is a diversion through Minnesota the simplest option, but it would also make a major project to protect South Fargo unnecessary, according to the Corps of Engineers.
Walaker: “If they pick it up on the Moorhead side, we don't need the southside project, that would be a considerable savings there.”
Voxland: “We really wanna have the best dollar value for everybody.”
Moorhead Mayor Mark Voxland says he'll support a diversion in Minnesota if it proves to be the best plan for Fargo, Moorhead, and the two counties. He won't rule it out just because it's built on his side of the river.
Voxland: “We either all four agree on a project or there's no project so our feet are to the fire, we do have to make these decisions and we do have to find the answer.”
The federal government will pay for 65-percent of the project. Fargo's share will come from the sales tax voters approved, that'll cover up to 200-million. Moorhead has 8-point-two million available from special assessments and surcharges, and the state has agreed to cover any amount over that.
Two public meetings are scheduled if you'd like a closer look; Tuesday, at Fargo's Howard Johnson Inn, and Wednesday at Hagen Hall at MSU-Moorhead.
